BEND, OR -- The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office is taking an unconventional approach to sharing information about the agency, this holiday season. Deputy Shultsy is an “Elf on the Shelf” doll, outfitted in a DCSO uniform, and Sheriff Shane Nelson says his adventures have taken on a life of their own, "Shultsy has ridden one of our K9s- K9 Masa, has ridden one of the remote control cameras that we have." He’s also packed an emergency Go Bag, met with partner agencies, "trained" with SWAT (pictured, right) and made coffee with the night shift.

Nelson says the outreach effort is already paying off, "A mom had posted on our Facebook page and said her child always looks forward to the next adventure of Dep. Shultsy, and that really meant a lot to me because that is a connection with your Sheriff’s Office."

The idea to create "Dep. Shultsy" to help educate the public came from a Sheriff's Sergeant. Sheriff Nelson says Shultsy's uniform was handmade by another member of the agency. You can keep up with Deputy Shultsy on the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page. To hear more about Dep. Shultsy, as well as tips for winter travel, listen to our full conversation with Sheriff Nelson in our Podcast. 

Sheriff Nelson and Dep. Shultsy visit the KBND Newsroom, Dec. 17, 2018.